Meet Tom Cotton: A Distinguished Veteran and Arkansas Senator

Early Life and Military Service

Senator Tom Cotton was born in Dardanelle, Arkansas, on March 13, 1977. He grew up in Russellville, where he attended and excelled academically at Russellville High School. Driven by a strong sense of patriotism and duty, Cotton joined the United States Army after graduating from Harvard Law School in 2005.

As an Infantry Officer, Senator Cotton served with distinction in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2005, he deployed to Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division, where he participated in combat operations in some of the most violent and contested areas of the country. He later deployed to Afghanistan with the 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division in 2011, serving as a platoon leader during the NATO-led surge and the brutal fighting in the Korengal Valley.

Congressional Career

Following his military service, Senator Cotton was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2012. He served two terms in the House, where he quickly gained a reputation as a conservative and principled lawmaker. In 2014, he was elected to the United States Senate, where he has continued to serve the people of Arkansas and advocate for conservative values on the national stage.